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Summary of Content: Written on War Dept. stationery, with ”War Department” struck and substituting ”Executive Chamber.” Title taken from docket. A draft for the orders by which the Booth conspirators were given military trial. Written as Secretary of War.

Background: Edwin M. Stanton was Secretary of War from 1862-1868 under Abraham Lincoln. After Lincoln’s assassination, he continued his position under President Andrew Johnson. Impeachment charges were brought against President Johnson for his dismissal of Stanton. When the charges failed, Stanton resigned. He was then appointed associate justice but died before taking his seat in the Supreme Court.